Apandi goes to work before PM’s directive

PETALING JAYA: Hours before he was told to go on leave, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali went into his office as usual since Pakatan Harapan took over the government following the May 9 polls.

“In fact I am now in the office doing my normal work,” he said earlier yesterday when asked if he had reported for work.

Asked about comments made by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that some government agencies and their heads would be investigated, Apandi declined to comment. Later yesterday, Dr Mahathir announced that the Solicitor-General will take over Apandi’s duties during his leave.

Dr Mahathir had said that the A-G had “undermined his own credibility” and indicated that several government servants would be investigated for their roles in the aborted investigations into 1MDB.

On Friday, Apandi said: “We are legal advisers to the government of the day and at the same time, we are the prosecutor of criminal offences as determined by law.

“We shall strive to uphold the law at all times, irrespective of the political scenario.”

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo also called on Apandi to step down after the Prime Minister expressed no confidence in him.

The DAP deputy chairman said in a statement on Sunday that he believed it was untenable for Apandi to remain as A-G.

“It is quite clear that the Prime Minister expressed no confidence in him by saying there is no A-G in the country now.

“Dr Mahathir has also said in no uncertain terms that he is of the view that there is basis for a probe into the manner in which the 1MDB case was dealt with,” he added.